The Lamu County Government increased food distribution efforts in Bahari Ward today, aiming to reach around 3,000 households from Central town, Jua Kali, Nairobi area, Ziwani A, Ziwani B, Lakeside A, Lakeside B, Umoja, Kilimani, FTC, Polytechnic, Naivasha, and Istanbul areas . The food distribution exercise is currently underway at FTC in Mpeketoni .

Because of the present drought and the prognosis of generally dry conditions, Governor Fahim Twaha’s government initiated a food drive in Witu on September 20, 2021, to help Lamu residents cope with the effects of the raging drought.

At least 32,000 disadvantaged households in the County’s 10 wards will benefit from the project, which will distribute an estimated 400 tonnes of food.

Drought conditions have been compounded by a lack of rain, resulting in poor to non-existent crops for Lamu’s small-holder farmers and a shortage of water and vegetation for the pastoralists.

Food insecurity is anticipated to persist from July to December 2021, according to NDMA predictions, with about 1,913,265 people in marginal agricultural and pastoral communities in need of assistance across the whole country.

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Story by: Patrick Ochieng

For more information, Contact

Lamu County Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Over 840 households in Uziwa area Mkunumbi Ward today received food for drought relief under the County initiative to cushion small holder farmers and pastoralists against the effects of the prevailing drought .

The food drive was launched in Witu ward in September and is being replicated in all the 10 wards within the county targeting over 32,000 vulnerable households in urgent need of food assistance as drought continues to take its toll.

The worsening drought conditions have manifested in poor to no harvest for Lamu’s small holder farmers, poor vegetation conditions, storage and water sources are depleting by the day, worsening livestock body conditions and reduced milk production .

Addressing Uziwa residents this afternoon, Governor Fahim Twaha assured them that his administration is committed to achieve food security for all Lamu residents .

“The county government has procured 10 new fully loaded tractors to add to the already existing nine, the intention is to open up more land for farming through our ongoing subsidized mechanization of farms program. County tractor services will still be offered at Ksh. 1000 per acre. We are also in the process of procuring high-yield certified seeds which will be distributed free of charge to our farmers to spur food production and reduce cost of production even further,” said Governor Fahim.

The food distribution exercise comes hot in the heels of relief animal feeds drive as well as ongoing water tracking services using water bowsers in villages facing acute water shortages.

According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought bulletin for July 2021, Lamu is among 12 other counties on a high alert drought phase include Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana River, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo and Laikipia .

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Story by: Athman Omar

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud has called on Lamu residents to stay vigilant and shun politicians propagating divisive politics ahead of the electioneering period .

Hon Aboud was speaking when he joined hundreds of Lamu residents and other national dignitaries and guests during the inaugural Community Thanksgiving Prayer Day, held at Mpeketoni Town, Tiger grounds .

“Lamu will still be here after elections, Kenya will still remain to be Kenya even after elections, let us be wary of politicians who seek to bring divisions among the Lamu Community. Any politician who wishes to be elected in office in the next year’s General Election should lead by example by building peace and cohesion in Lamu,” said Hon Aboud who represented Governor Fahim Twaha .

The event also doubled as the homecoming ceremony for the Chairman National Police Service Commission, Eliud Kinuthia, CBS, OGW, HSC. Other Dignitaries in attendance included Eng.Dr.Karanja Kibicho,PS State Department of Interior and Citizen Services, Peter Munya Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Nyeri County Deputy Governor Dr Caroline Karugu, Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia, Lamu West Member of Parliament Hon. Stanley Muthama among other local leaders .

The purpose of the prayer day is to set stage for a robust and comprehensive cohesion and peace-building strategies, meet engage, interact and together pray for Lamu County and our Nation Kenya .

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

H.E Governor Fahim Twaha joined other Muslim faithfuls at the Riyadha Mosque and Islamic Center, Friday 5th November 2021 to mark the Maulid Celebrations .

Lamu is famous for its Maulid celebrations, which mark the birth of the Prophet Mohamed(S.A.W). The festival brings thousands of visitors and pilgrims to Lamu from far afield for recitals of praise poems, music and dances, calligraphy and art exhibits.

The festival is marked every third month of the Islamic calendar and is always held at the Riyadha mosque, which is the longest-functioning and most influential Islamic teaching institution among the Swahili in Coastal East Africa.

In attendance was Lamu leaders including MCA Mkomani ward Yahya Basode, international guests and dignitaries from Morocco, Comoro Islands, Tanzania, Uganda . Also present were local guests from Tana River, Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru

According to the secretary-general Abubakar Mohammed Badawy, the theme for this year’s festival, is to sensitize the community and visitors on the need to embrace peace and unity as Kenya prepares to hold the 2022 General Election

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Story by: Athman Omar

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

Over 3,000 residents of Lake Amu, Ocean View (Witemere ya Juu), Baharini town and Tewe Chiefs office area in Bahari ward are currently receiving relief food to cushion them against the prevailing drought .

The countywide exercise that was launched last month by HE Governor Fahim Twaha aims to distribute over 400 tonnes of foodstuff to over 32,000 vulnerable households across all the ten wards within Lamu.

Speaking at Lake Amu, Governor Fahim expressed his commitment to ensure food security for all Lamu residents through his administration’s program to support small holder farmers who were dealt a big blow by the ravaging drought registering little to no harvest last season . The county has procured 10 new fully loaded tractors in addition to the existing nine to help open up more land for Agriculture through the subsidized mechanization of farms program .

Lamu, just like other 12 Arid and Semi Arid Counties did not receive adequate rainfall during the last October – November-December 2020 short rains and the March-April-May 2021 long rains. Both seasons were characterized by late onsets, below average quantities, and poor distribution both in time and space.

In the recent past the County has stepped up distribution of relief animal feeds as well as water tracking services using water bowsers in villages facing acute water shortage to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to affected residents, livestock and even wildlife watering areas .

According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought bulletin for July 2021, the other twelve (12) counties on a high alert drought phase include Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo and Laikipia .

The Governor was accompanied by CECM Trade Hon. Josphat Musembi, CECM Education Hon. Paul Thairu HSC, CECM Public Service Management and Administration Hon. Godana Abdu, Chief of Staff Mohamed Bute among other staffs.

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Story by: Samuel Mkare

For more information contact;

Lamu Communications office at info@lamu.go.ke

A delegation of students from Kiunga ward undertaking different courses at the Lamu Technical and Vocational Education and training center paid a courtesy call to the office of the Governor at the County headquarters in Mokowe .

The youths, led by Hussein Shali (Marine Security Course ), Rashid Aboud Bwana(Vessel Repairs Course) and Ali Sadik(Maritime Transport and Logistics course); lauded Governor Fahim Twaha and the County Department of Education for the great strides in ensuring that youths in Lamu are empowered and well prepared to take up opportunities that accrue from the LAPSSET . They challenged other County youths to take advantage of the expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) opportunities offered by the County government of Lamu .

Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration has made far-reaching reforms in the TVET sector to churn technologists and artisans required to contribute to Kenya’s and Lamu’s industrial goals . Already , the county has opened 14 satellite polytechnics across the County, scrapped off fees in all of them and expanded the curricula. This has increased the number of trainees in local TVET’s to over 3,500 from just 447 by end of 2017.

Governor Fahim Twaha congratulated the youths for taking initiative to better their lives through education saying the TVETs opportunities will equip them with employable technological skills not only in LAPSSET but also in other associated projects .

“The LAPSSET Corridor Program has components such as the Port, Roads, Railways, Pipelines, Refineries and fishing port which requires technical expertise that is mostly imported from other Countries and Counties. The more we improve our youths technical skills, the more we will change that equation,” said Governor Fahim.

The youths assured Governor Fahim Twaha that they will take full advantage of the opportunities provided by TVETs, saying they are ready to proceed for higher education upon completion of their courses under the County’s higher education Bursary funds for college and University students .

Lamu County’s commitment to increase the number of graduates with technical expertise, mirrors the national government’s ambition to reduce a skills gap that exists in building infrastructure in line with Vision 2030 development goals.

In attendance was the LAWASCO Managing Dirrctor Mr. Paul Wainaina.

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Story by: Athman Omar

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke